CN113906330A

CN113906330A - Method and apparatus for preserving eyewear

Info

Publication number: CN113906330A
Application number: CN201980097058.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 格雷戈里·W·卡尔
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-04-01
Filing date: 2019-04-01
Publication date: 2022-01-07
Also published as: CA3135821A1; EP3948403A1; AU2019440149A1; WO2020204905A1

Abstract

The present invention includes an apparatus and method for storing eyeglasses on a more distal panel by positioning a retention member on the more distal panel and positioning a temple member on the eyeglasses.

Description

Method and apparatus for preserving eyewear

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of glasses holders (retainers) and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for holding a pair of glasses in a container, pocket or the like.

Background

As the environmental and visual needs vary between near and distance vision, the user takes off and puts on the glasses for a period of time depending on whether vision correction is required. A convenient place for placing the glasses immediately after they are removed, carrying the glasses and making them easy to access for later use is for example a shirt breast pocket or a spectacle case stored in a breast pocket. However, for example, when a wearer bends over to see or pick up something, or simply moves abruptly, the eyeglasses and case storing them may easily fall or pop out of the pocket. Therefore, there is a need to help prevent the eyeglasses and eyeglass case from falling out of the pocket.

SUMMARY

Methods and apparatus are provided for storing glasses or eyeglass cases in containers, cases, pockets, or the like.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the features of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket);

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket);

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket) with temple elements folded over the outer garment panels of the pocket;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a pair of glasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket);

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a pair of glasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket);

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket) with temple elements folded over the outer garment panels of the pocket;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a pair of glasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket);

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view showing a pair of glasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket);

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket) with temple elements folded over the outer garment panels of the pocket;

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket) with temple elements folded over the outer garment panels of the pocket;

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a pair of glasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket);

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing a pair of glasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket);

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket) with temple elements folded over the outer garment panels of the pocket;

FIG. 14 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket) with temple elements folded over the outer garment panels of the pocket;

FIG. 15 is a schematic side view showing a pair of glasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket);

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view showing a pair of glasses stored inside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket);

FIG. 17 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored outside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket) with temple elements folded over the outer garment panels of the pocket;

FIG. 18 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored outside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket) with temple elements folded over the outer garment panels of the pocket;

FIG. 19 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored outside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket) with temple elements folded over the outer garment panels of the pocket; and

fig. 20 is a schematic side view showing a pair of eyeglasses stored outside a pocket (e.g., such as a shirt breast pocket) with temple elements folded over the outer garment panels of the pocket.

Detailed Description

In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, certain specific details, and details which have been omitted, are not deemed necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention, and are considered to be within the understanding of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

Fig. 1 to 20 show various configurations of an eyeglass holder for holding or coupling a pair of eyeglasses 2 to a distantly facing garment piece. The remote panels may include panels of fabric from an article of clothing. The eyeglass holder can be used to couple a pair of eyeglasses 2 to various articles of clothing, such as, for example, shirts, coats, jackets, pants, shorts, and the like. The fabric panels may vary depending on the fabric of the article of clothing to which the eyeglasses 2 are attached. Fabric panels may include a variety of materials, such as, for example, cotton blend, leather, polyester, wool, silk, synthetic materials, blend, satin, jean, linen, flannel, lace, and the like. Throughout fig. 1 to 20, components having the same or substantially the same structure and function are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The glasses holder may restrain the pair of glasses 2 with respect to the article of clothing. The article of clothing may include a pocket 8, with the eyeglasses 2 being stored in the pocket 8. The eyeglass holder may be used to couple the eyeglasses 2 to at least one fabric panel included in the pocket 8. Magnetically coupling the eyeglasses 2 to at least one pocket panel may restrain the eyeglasses 2 inside the pocket 8 or restrain the eyeglasses 2 to the pocket 8. Restraining the eyeglasses 2 by being coupled or secured to the eyeglass holder may prevent the eyeglasses 2 from inadvertently sliding out of or falling out of the pocket 8 and being damaged, lost, or simply bothered with common problems. The eyeglass holder may alternatively be used to directly couple the eyeglasses 2 to an article of clothing outside the pocket. The eyeglass holder may also be used to restrain items other than eyeglasses within the pocket 8, such as pens, pencils and other items stored in the pocket, for example.

Turning to the configuration of fig. 1 and 2, an eyeglass holder may be used to hold the eyeglasses 2 in the shirt pocket 8. In the example shown in fig. 1, the pocket 8 may be a shirt breast pocket comprising a pocket panel 10 and a shirt panel 12. The lens holder may include an outer retaining member 20 and an inner retaining member 22, the outer retaining member 20 and the inner retaining member 22 being located on opposite sides of the pocket panel 10. The external and

internal holding elements

20, 22 may be capable of holding positions on one of the pocket panel 10 or shirt panel 12 of the pocket 8. The eyeglass holder may further comprise a temple element 16, the temple element 16 being magnetically attracted to at least one of the outer retaining element 20 and the inner retaining element 22. The temple element 16 may be positioned on a temple 18 of the eyeglasses 2. The

retaining elements

20, 22 may be positioned near or proximate to the location of the temple elements 16 and in which the eyeglasses 2 are naturally placed within the pockets 8. The temple element 16 may retain the eyeglasses 2 by utilizing the magnetic attraction between the temple element 16 and the

retaining elements

20, 22. The

retaining elements

20, 22 may be a pair of magnets that attract each other. Or one of the

retaining elements

20, 22 may be a magnet while the other is comprised of a ferromagnetic or magnetically attractive material.

The eyeglass holder may be positioned near the lower end 102 of the pocket 8 (shown within the dashed circle) and used on the pocket panel 10 alternatively or in combination with the eyeglass holder near the top end 100 of the pocket 8. One or more temple members 16, each having a respective retaining

member

20, 22, may be used to couple the eyeglasses 2 to the pocket-sized chassis 10. The temple piece 16 may be positioned to couple the temple 18 or different portions of the eyeglasses 2 to the fabric chassis. The second eyeglass holder 110 may also be used to couple more than one temple to the engaged fabric panel. The

holder locations

100, 102 have been shown near the top and bottom of the pocket 8 for purposes of illustration. However, the positions of the

conservers

100, 102 may be varied to be at other locations on the pocket panel 10 as desired. The lower and upper lens holders may be used together or separately to hold the same pair of lenses 2 or a plurality of different pairs of lenses 2. In the example shown, the lower eyeglass holder may be coupled with the temple member 16 located near the end of the temple 18 that rests on the ear of the user. Alternatively, if the eyeglasses 2 are placed in the pocket 8 and the other end is inserted first, the temple element 16 near the hinge of the eyeglasses 2 will be coupled with the lower pair of retaining

elements

20 and 22. The temple member 16 may be placed in a different position relative to either or both of the pocket-sized body piece 10 or the eyeglasses 2, or without other eyeglass holders to hold the same or a different pair of eyeglasses. For example, the eyeglasses 2 can be retained in the pocket 8 using the

upper retention elements

20 and 22 and associated temple elements 16 without using the

lower retention elements

20 and 22, and vice versa. Alternatively, both the upper and lower eyeglass holders and one or both of the associated temple elements 16 may be used in combination to hold the eyeglasses 2 in the pocket 8.

When the eyeglass holder is used with the pocket panel 10 of the pocket 8, the external retaining member 20 may be significantly exposed when the holder is used. Outer element exterior surface 26 of outer retaining element 20 may include a visible facade, images, art, text, decorative facade, colors, designs, patterns, and the like to decorate outer retaining element 20 when shown.

Fig. 1 shows an eyeglass holder coupling eyeglasses 2 to a pocket panel 10 near an upper end 100 of a shirt pocket 8. The eyeglasses 2 may be stored by magnetically coupling the temple piece 16 located on the temple 18 of the eyeglasses 2 to the

retention elements

20 and 22. The magnetic attraction between the temple member 16 and the retaining

members

20 and 22 tends to maintain the position of the eyeglasses 2 relative to the retaining

members

20 and 22 and the pocket panels 10.

The temple element 16 may comprise a ferromagnetic material that is temporarily or permanently positioned on the temple 18 of the eyeglasses 2. The temple piece 16 may also include a magnetic material or a combination of magnetic and ferromagnetic materials. The temple element 16 may be attached to the temple 18 by any means and method known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including being fully or partially embedded in the temple 18, being glued or adhered to the temple 18 with glue or adhesive, being mechanically coupled to the temple 18 by being wrapped or bent around the body of the temple 18, clamping the two magnetically-attractive portions around the temple 18 by magnetic attraction, and the like.

Alternatively, the temple arm 18 and/or other portions of the eyeglasses 2 themselves may include magnetic, ferrous, ferromagnetic, and/or magnetically attractive material such that there may be a magnetic attraction between the temple arm 18 and/or other portions of the eyeglasses 2 and the retaining

elements

20, 22. In this case, the eyeglasses 2 may be magnetically coupled to the

retention elements

20, 22 themselves and the temple elements 16 may be omitted. Likewise, the eyeglasses may be magnetically coupled to the retaining

elements

20, 22 at one or more other locations on the temple 18 or at a location other than one or more locations.

For example, magnetic, ferrous, ferromagnetic and/or magnetically attractive materials can be positioned on, secured to and/or include a joint or hinge that interconnects one or both of the temples 16 with the eyeglass frame or lens, all or any portion of the eyeglass frame (including all or any portion of the nosepiece, the nose pad, etc.), and all or any portion of the eyeglass lens. In addition to including or forming part of the eyewear at the location of such material, such material may also include inserts that are embedded, molded, glued, or otherwise secured to the exterior of the eyewear in any manner similar to that described herein with respect to temple 18.

The temple piece 16 may also be positioned at various locations along the length of the entire temple 18, as well as on the inside (the side closer to the user when wearing the eyeglass 2, such as shown at the end of the temple 18 near the upper end 100 of the pocket 8) or outside (the end of the temple 18 near the upper end 100 of the pocket 8 in fig. 5) of the temple 18. The temple piece 16 may also be placed inside or outside the temple 18. Further, the temple element 16 may include a length of material extending along the outside of the temple 18 and/or within a portion or the entire length of the temple 18. Additionally, for ease of illustration, the temple element 16 is shown in a different position on the temple 18; however, the temple 16 may alternatively or additionally be positioned or include a similar location or portion of another respective temple of the eyeglasses 2. Temple piece 16 may be positioned or include various locations and portions of temple 18 and/or its relative temple.

For ease of illustration, the temple element 16 and the retaining elements 20 and 21 are shown as rectangles from a side view; however, the temple element 16 and the retention elements 20 and 21 may be formed in various shapes and designs to address aesthetic and functional considerations and preferences, and may include all or part of the temple 18 of the eyeglass 2.

When positioning one of the upper and lower lens holders for use, the outer and

inner retaining members

20, 22 may be positioned on opposite sides of the pocket panel 10, as shown in fig. 1. The magnetic attraction between the retaining

elements

20 and 22 pulls each retaining

element

20 and 22 toward the intervening portion of the pocket panel 10 and the resulting frictional forces resist movement of the retaining

elements

20 and 22 along the pocket panel 10.

The outer retaining member 20 may include an outer member contacting surface 24 and an outer member outer surface 26. The outer component contact surface 24 can be in direct contact with the outer surface 28 of the pocket panel 10. The outer element outer surface 26 may be at an opposite end of the outer element contacting surface 24. Inner holding element 22 may include an inner element contacting surface 30 and a temple surface 32. The internal component contact surface 30 can be in direct contact with the inner surface 33 of the pocket panel 10. The temple surface 32 may be opposite the inner element contacting surface 30.

In fig. 1, the eyeglasses 2 may be magnetically coupled to an eyeglasses holder for securing the eyeglasses 2 to the pocket panel 10. To couple the eyeglasses 2 to the eyeglass holder at the upper end 100 of the pocket 8, the upper temple element 16 of the eyeglass holder may be positioned on the temple 18 adjacent the hinge 34 of the eyeglasses 2. Temple 18 and temple element 16 may then be magnetically coupled with internal retaining element 22 to restrain eyeglasses 2 via the upper eyeglass holder. Temple element 16 may couple temple 18 of eyewear 2 to an upper eyewear holder using an attractive force between temple element 16 and inner retaining element 22 and/or outer retaining element 20. The internal retaining element 22 (the element closest to the temple element 16) comprising a magnetic material may provide a greater attractive force. The magnetic force exerted on the pocket panel 10 due to the attraction between the temple member 16 and the internal retaining member 22 may maintain the position of the eyeglasses 2 within the pocket 8.

In fig. 1, the outer and

inner holding members

20, 22 of the lens holder may also include an optional U-shaped holder base 36, the holder base 36 including clips or flexible straps for securing the holding

members

20, 22 to the pocket chassis 10. An optional retainer mount 36 may be connected to outer retaining element 20 at one end and inner retaining element 22 at the other end. The retainer seat 36 can be used to couple the outer retaining member 20 and the inner retaining member 22 in place on opposite sides at or near the top of the pocket panel 10. When using the retainer seat 36 to couple the

retention elements

20, 22 to the pocket panel 10, the retainer seat 36 may be positioned above the top edge 38 of the pocket panel 10 to place the

retention elements

20, 22 at a desired distance from the top edge 38. If a flexible strap is used, the strap may comprise a flexible fabric, plastic, or the like that spaces the retaining

elements

20, 22 from the top of the pocket, but does not hold the retaining

elements

20, 22 in place. If a flexible band is used, one of the retaining

elements

20, 22 should be a magnet. Alternatively, if the temple element 16 includes a high strength magnet, the magnetic force from the temple element 16 may be strong enough to hold both the retaining

elements

20, 22 and the eyeglasses 2 in place.

As shown in fig. 9-16, the retainer receptacle 36 may be a clip that is coupled to only either of the retaining

elements

20, 22, which are retained inside or outside the pocket 8 as desired. The retainer seat 36 can be bent, folded or slid over the top edge of the pocket 10 until the edge of the pocket panel 10 reaches the recessed end of the retainer seat 36 to position the retaining

elements

20 and 22 at a preferred distance from the edge. The magnetic attraction between the retaining

members

20 and 22 may cause them to compress the pocket panel 10 sufficiently to retain the retaining

members

20 and 22 in the position in which they are placed. The retainer seat 36 (if a clip) may increase the compressive force to hold the retaining

elements

20 and 22 in place. The retainer seat 36 may be optional and may not be used to maintain the position of the retaining

elements

20, 22 at all. The retainer seat 36 may have various sizes and shapes depending on the size of the retaining

elements

20, 22. The retainer seat 36 (if a clip) may be formed of any material (e.g., plastic, metal, and the like) to retain and position the retaining

elements

20, 22 on the fabric panel.

Alternatively, the internal and

external holding elements

22, 20 may be positioned and coupled to the pocket chassis 10 using magnetic attraction. One or both of inner retaining element 22 and outer retaining element 20 may include a magnet, ferrous, and/or magnetically attractive material. The eyeglass holder may provide a magnetically attractive force or magnetic coupling between various combinations of magnetic and possibly ferromagnetic retaining elements mounted on and/or forming part of the eyeglasses 2 and mounted on and/or forming part of the fabric adjacent the eyeglasses 2 to constrain movement of the eyeglasses 2 relative to the fabric. The degree of the restraining force may vary depending on: for example, the magnitude of the magnetic attraction force (e.g., the size, shape, and properties of the magnetic and/or ferromagnetic material used); the weight of the constrained eyewear; fabric thickness; the degree of frictional resistance to movement caused by contact surfaces (e.g., smooth or textured) of the eyewear, fabric, and/or retention elements; the degree of resistance to the expected movement; and the like. Rare earth magnets having relatively strong magnetic forces may be used as well as other magnets. The restraining force may be selected, for example, to allow the eyeglasses 2 to fall out of the pocket 8 without excessive pulling. The restraining force may also be selected, for example, to prevent the eyeglasses from slipping out of the pocket or popping out when the wearer bends over (e.g., looks at or picks up an item) or moves abruptly (e.g., runs or jumps).

The temple element 16 and the retaining

elements

20, 22 may each include a magnet, ferrous and/or magnetically attractive material, and the like. In example configurations, the temple element 16 may be a magnet and the retaining

elements

20, 22 may be or may include a magnet or magnetic material. The position of the retaining

elements

20, 22 may be maintained in this configuration using the conserver 36. Alternatively, the

retention elements

20, 22 may be magnets and the temple element 16 may be a magnetically attractive material. The material used to construct the temple element 16 may supplement the material used to construct the retaining

elements

20, 22 such that there is an attractive force between the temple element 16 and the retaining

elements

20, 22. When magnets, ferrous and/or magnetically attractive materials are used to construct the temple element 16 and the retaining

elements

20, 22, the attractive force between the temple element 16 and the retaining

elements

20, 22 may be a magnetic attractive force. When the temple element 16 is engaged with the retaining

elements

20, 22, a magnetic force between the temple element 16 and the retaining

elements

20, 22 may couple the eyeglasses 2 to the eyeglass holder.

Outer retaining element 20 and inner retaining element 22 may be different or the same with respect to one or more of size, shape, constituent components, and the like. The temple member 16 may be the same or different in size, shape, composition, etc. from the retaining

members

20, 22. The magnetic strength may vary based on whether more than one of the

elements

16, 20, 22 is a magnet, or whether only a single magnet is used with one or more complementary elements comprising magnetically attractive material. As previously mentioned, the strength of the magnet material used may also vary based on the material of the fabric panel used with the eyeglass holder. Additional embodiments of the eyeglass holder may be improved using stronger magnets for thicker fabrics, such as those used in jackets, coats, sweaters, and the like.

In another configuration, one or both of the internal and

external retaining elements

22, 20 may include a textured rubber or rubber-like friction surface on the internal and external

element contacting surfaces

30, 24, respectively, to increase friction and resistance to sliding movement along the pocket panel 10. The friction surface may include a rubber coating or layer. In further configurations, at least one of the inner and outer retaining

elements

22, 20 may include a textured rubber or rubber-like friction surface on the temple surface 32 and outer element exterior surface 26, respectively, to increase friction and resistance to sliding movement when coupled with the temple 18 or the temple element 16 positioned on the temple 18 to restrain the eyeglasses 2.

In fig. 2, a configuration of the eyeglass holder is shown in which the retaining

elements

20, 22 are coupled to the shirt body panel 12 of the pocket 8. Temple pieces 16 positioned on the eyeglasses 2 proximate the hinge 34 may be magnetically coupled with the internal retaining member 22 to retain the eyeglasses 2 within the pocket 8. Fig. 2 also shows that, alternatively, an optional second eyeglass holder can be used near the lower end 102 of the pocket 8 for securing the eyeglasses 2 within the pocket 8. Additional temple members 16 may be positioned at another portion of the temple 18, distal from the hinge 34, to engage a second holder coupled to the shirt body panel 12. A second eyeglass holder may be used to constrain additional portions of the same temple 18 or a different temple to the engaged fabric panel.

Turning to fig. 3, in an embodiment, the eyeglass holder may alternatively be configured such that the temple element 16 located on the temple 18 may be magnetically coupled to the external holding element 20 to restrain the eyeglasses 2. With this arrangement, the eyeglasses 2 can be positioned with the lenses of the eyeglasses 2 inside the pockets 8. Temple 18, including temple member 16, may then be folded over top edge 38 of pocket panel 10 and into contact with outer surface 28 of pocket panel 10. The eyeglasses 2 may then be coupled to the eyeglass holder when the temple member 16 on the folded temple 18 is engaged with the external retaining member 20. A second eyeglass holder can be used to restrain a second portion of the folded temple 18 relative to the pocket chassis 10. An additional temple piece 16 may be positioned on another portion of the folded temple 18, distal to the hinge 34, near the end of the temple 18, and engaged with another retaining piece located deeper inside the pocket 8. The location 102 of the second eyeglass holder may vary based on the user's preferences.

Fig. 4 shows an eyeglass holder configured such that the contact point between the temple element 16 and the holding

elements

20, 22 near the hinge 34 of the eyeglasses 2 is located at an alternative position near the lower end 102 of the pocket 8. The

retention elements

20, 22 may be positioned near the bottom of the pocket 8 to allow engagement between the temple element 16 and the internal retention element 22 to occur deeper within the pocket 8.

Figure 5 shows the glasses holder joined to a shirt panel 12 at an alternative position remote from the opening of the pocket 8. The use of an attractive force between the inner retaining member 22 and the outer retaining member 20 to retain and position the retaining

members

20, 22 may allow the retaining

members

20, 22, and thus the eyeglass holder, to be positioned at different locations on any fabric panel. In this example, the eyeglasses 2 may be coupled to an eyeglass holder within the pocket 8 by magnetically coupling the temple element 16 positioned on the temple 18 with the internal retaining element 22 within the pocket 8. This configuration, and any configuration in which the retaining

elements

20, 22 may engage the shirt panel 12, may allow the outer retaining element 20 to be positioned inside the shirt and not visible when the eyeglass holder is in use.

Turning to fig. 6, the eyeglass holder can alternatively be configured such that the

retention members

20, 22 can be positioned at alternative locations on the pocket panel 10 and the temple member 16 can be magnetically coupled to the outer retention member 20 to retain the eyeglasses 2. The eyeglasses 2 may be positioned similar to the example in fig. 3, wherein the lenses of the eyeglasses 2 may be positioned inside the pocket 8 and the temple 18 including the temple elements 16 folded over the top edge 38 of the pocket chassis 10. Temple element 16 may alternatively be positioned on folded temple 18 at an alternative location remote from hinge 34 and near the end of temple 18. The eyeglasses 2 can then be similarly constrained relative to the pocket 10 by magnetically coupling the temple member 16 on the folded temple 18 with the outer member outer surface 26 of the outer retaining member 20.

In fig. 7, the eyeglass holder can alternatively be configured on pocket-cut piece 10 such that temple element 16, located away from hinge 34 on temple 18, can be magnetically coupled to temple surface 32 of inner retention element 22. The entire eyeglasses 2 may be located inside the pocket 8 due to the magnetic coupling of the temple element 16 located on the end of the temple 18 with the internal retaining element 22 located deep inside the pocket 8. In this example, outer element outer surface 26 may be exposed when outer retention element 20 contacts outer surface 28 of pocket panel 10 to maintain and maintain the position of inner retention element 22.

Fig. 8 shows an eyeglass holder that may alternatively be configured on shirt body panel 12 such that temple member 16 may be positioned on temple 18 at an alternate location distal hinge 34 to the end of temple 18. The temple member 16 may then be magnetically coupled with the internal retaining member 22 to retain the eyeglasses 2 within the pocket 8. In this configuration, the entire eyeglass 2 can also be stored in the pocket 8 by positioning the retaining

elements

20, 22 on the shirt panel 12. In this configuration, the lens holder is not exposed when used.

Fig. 9-12 show an eyeglasses holder that is alternatively configured to hold eyeglasses 2 using a single external retention element 20 magnetically coupled with temple elements 16. A single external holding element 20 may be held and positioned on the pocket panel 10 using the retainer seat 36. The retainer seat 36 may be engaged over the top edge 38 of the pocket panel 10, which positions the external retaining element 20 near the opening of the pocket 8.

In fig. 9 and 10, the eyeglass holder may be configured to hold a portion of the eyeglasses within the pocket 8. In this configuration, temple 18, including temple element 16, may be folded over top edge 38 of pocket-coated tablet 10 to engage outer retention element 20. The temple element 16 may be positioned on the temple 18 proximate the hinge 34 to engage the outer retaining element 20 held by the retainer mount 36. In this embodiment, the position of the external retaining element 20 may vary based on the size and length of the retainer seat 36 used to position the retaining

elements

20, 22.

Figure 9 also shows an optional second eyeglass holder that is used to further restrain the folded temple 18 relative to the pocket-chassis 10. An optional second eyeglass holder may be located deeper within the pocket 8 such that the

additional retaining elements

20, 22 may engage another temple element 16, the other temple element 16 being positioned on the temple 18, distal to the hinge 34, proximate the end of the temple 18. With the inner retaining member 22 magnetically attracted to the outer retaining member 20, an optional second eyeglass holder can be positioned deeper within the pocket 8 on the pocket panel 10. The second eyeglass holder may further hold eyeglasses 2 by magnetically coupling additional portions of folded temple 18 to pocket body 10.

In fig. 11 and 12, the eyeglass holder can be configured to hold eyeglasses within pocket 8 by magnetically coupling temples 18 of eyeglasses 2 to external retention element 20 from within pocket 8. Temple 18 may be restrained by an eyeglass holder by magnetically coupling temple member 16 located adjacent hinge 34 to outer retaining member 20 through pocket panel 10. In this embodiment, the eyeglass holder can be configured such that the temple member 16 can engage the outer member outer surface 26 from within the pocket 8 to restrain the temple 18 of the eyeglasses 2 relative to the pocket chassis 10. When the temple member 16 on the temple 18 is coupled to an eyeglass holder, the pocket-coated tablet 10 may be positioned between the temple member 16 and the outer retention member 20.

Fig. 11 also shows an optional second eyeglass holder that is used to further constrain another portion of temple 18 relative to pocket-chassis 10. An optional second eyeglass holder may be positioned deeper within the pocket 8, away from the opening, to engage another temple element 16, the temple element 16 being positioned away from the hinge 34, near the end of the temple 18. An optional second lens holder may be positioned and held on the pocket panel 10 using the inner and outer retaining

members

22, 20. An optional second eyeglass holder may alternatively be used to restrain a different temple relative to the pocket chassis 10.

Fig. 13-16 show an alternative to an eyeglass holder configured to hold eyeglasses 2 using only a single internal retaining element 22 magnetically coupled with temple element 16. A single internal holding element 22 may be held and positioned on a pocket panel 10 using a retainer seat 36. The retainer seat 36 may be engaged over the top edge 38 of the pocket panel 10, which positions the internal retaining element 22 near the opening of the pocket 8.

In fig. 13 and 14, the eyeglass holder can be configured to hold a portion of the eyeglasses within the pocket 8 by folding the temple 18 of the eyeglasses 2, including the temple element 16, over the pocket panel 10. The temple element 16 may be positioned on the temple 18 proximate the hinge 34 to engage the internal retaining element 22 positioned by the retainer seat 36. The folded temple 18 may be retained by an eyeglass retainer by magnetically coupling the temple member 16 with the internal retaining member 22 of the eyeglasses 2 through the pocket panel 10. In this embodiment, the eyeglass holder can be configured such that when the folded temple 18 and eyeglasses 2 are held, the pocket-cut piece 10 is positioned between the temple member 16 and the internal retaining member 22.

Figure 13 also shows an optional second eyeglass holder that is used to further restrain the folded temple 18 relative to the pocket panel 10 near the lower end 102 of the pocket 8. An optional second eyeglass holder can be positioned near the bottom of the pocket 8, away from the opening, to engage another temple element 16, the other temple element 16 being attached away from the hinge 34, near the end of the temple 18. An optional second lens holder may be positioned and held at a deeper position within the pocket 8 using the internal retaining element 22 and the external retaining element 20.

In fig. 15 and 16, the eyeglass holder may be configured to hold the eyeglasses within the pocket 8 by magnetically coupling the temple element 16 on the temple 18 of the eyeglasses 2 with the internal retaining element 22 from within the pocket 8. The temple element 16 may similarly be positioned on the temple 18 proximate the hinge 34 to engage the internal retaining element 22 positioned by the retainer mount 36. In this embodiment, the eyeglass holder can be configured such that the temple element 16 can engage the temple surface 32 of the internal retaining element 22 to restrain the temple 18 of the eyeglasses 2. When the temple 18 is coupled to the eyeglass holder, the temple 18 and the temple member 16 are in direct contact with the internal retaining member 22.

Figure 15 also shows an optional second eyeglass holder that is used to further restrain the folded temple 18 to the pocket panel 10. An optional second eyeglass holder can be positioned proximate the bottom of the pocket 8, away from the opening, to engage another temple member 16, the other temple member 16 being positioned away from the hinge 34, proximate the end of the temple 18. An optional second lens holder may be positioned and held at a deeper position within the pocket 8 using the internal retaining element 22 and the external retaining element 20. An optional second eyeglass holder may further hold the eyeglasses 2 by constraining another portion of the same temple 18 to the pocket panel 10 or a different temple to the pocket panel 10.

Turning to fig. 17-20, the eyeglasses 2 may alternatively be positioned such that the lenses of the eyeglasses 2 may be outside of the pockets 8 when the eyeglasses 2 are coupled with the eyeglass holders. When attached to the eyeglass holder, the temple 18 of the eyeglasses 2, including the temple member 16, may be folded over the top edge 38 of the pocket-sized piece 10 such that the folded temple 18 may be within the pocket 8 with the lenses of the eyeglasses 2 in contact with the outer surface 28 of the pocket-sized piece 10.

Fig. 17-18 illustrate an eyeglass holder configured with an inner retaining member 22 and an outer retaining member 20, the inner and outer retaining

members

22, 20 engaging the pocket panel 10 and being positioned adjacent the opening of the pocket 8 by a holder base 36. Alternatively, the inner and outer retaining

elements

22, 20 may be positioned without the use of the retainer mount 36, the retainer may be configured with only the retainer mount 36 and inner retainer, or the retainer may be configured with only the retainer mount 36 and outer retaining element 20.

When inner and

outer retention elements

22, 20 are positioned and retained adjacent the opening of pocket 8 with or without the use of a retainer base 36, or when inner retention element 22 is engaged with pocket-sized body 10 using only a retainer base 36, an eyeglass retainer may restrain folded temple 18 by magnetically coupling temple element 16 positioned adjacent hinge 34 of eyeglass 2 to temple surface 32 of inner retention element 22. Alternatively, when only the outer retention element 20 is engaged with the pocket-coated tablet 10 using the retainer seat 36, the folded temple 18 may be restrained by magnetically coupling the temple element 16 to the outer retention element 20. When the temple member 16 and the external retention member 20 are coupled, the pocket-coated tablet 10 may be positioned between the junction of the temple member 16 and the external retention member 20.

Figure 17 also shows an optional second eyeglass holder that is used to further constrain the folded temple 18 to the pocket panel 10. The retaining

elements

20, 22 of the optional second eyeglass holder may be positioned deeper near the lower end 102 of the pocket 8, away from the opening, to engage the other temple element 16, which other temple element 16 is positioned on the folded temple 18, away from the hinge 34, near the end of the temple 18. An optional second lens holder may be positioned and held at a deeper position within the pocket 8 using the internal retaining element 22 and the external retaining element 20. Temple element 16 of the second eyeglass holder may further retain folded temple 18 by magnetically coupling with internal retaining element 22 of the second eyeglass holder.

Fig. 18 shows another embodiment with an optional second eyeglass holder for restraining different parts of the folded temple 18 to the shirt body piece 12. An optional second eyeglass holder can be positioned deeper within the pocket 8 to engage the other temple member 16, the other temple member 16 being positioned on the folded temple 18, distal from the hinge 34, proximate the end of the temple 18. An optional second eyeglass holder can be positioned and held in a deeper position on the shirt panel 12 using the inner 22 and outer 20 retaining members. An optional second eyeglass holder may further hold eyeglasses 2 by constraining a second portion of folded temple 18 to a different piece within pocket 8.

In one aspect, more than one lens holder may be used on a particular panel to further attach the lens 2 to the joined panels. In another aspect, more than one lens holder may be used on different panels of the pocket 8 to connect a pair of glasses 2 to more than one panel.

Referring to fig. 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17 and 18, the temple element 16 is shown positioned on a temple 18, the temple 18 folded over a top edge 38 of the pocket-sized body piece 10 on a side of the pocket-sized body piece 10 opposite the lenses of the eyeglasses 2. However, temple elements 16 (not shown) may additionally or alternatively be positioned on temples 18 that are folded over on the same side of pocket-coated tablet 10 as the lenses of eyeglasses 2. Such temple elements 16, which are located on the same side of pocket-chassis 10 as the lens, may be positioned to magnetically couple with one or

more retaining elements

22, 20.

Fig. 19-20 show an eyeglass holder configured with an inner retaining element 22 and an outer retaining element 20 on a shirt panel 12 and positioned adjacent an opening of the pocket 8. The eyeglass holder can hold folded temple 18 inside pocket 8 by magnetically coupling temple member 16 located near hinge 34 of folded temple 18 with internal retaining member 22 located on shirt body panel 12. The exact contact points of the folded temple 18 and the eyeglass holder may vary depending on the size of the eyeglasses 2 and the location of the temple member 16 on the folded temple 18. The retaining

members

20, 22 may then be positioned on the shirt panel 12 to align the retaining

members

20, 22 with the temple members 16 to restrain the eyeglasses 2 relative to the shirt panel 12.

Fig. 19 also shows an optional second eyeglass holder that is used on the shirt body 12 to further restrain the folded temple 18 to the shirt body 12. An optional second eyeglass holder can be positioned deeper within the pocket 8 and away from the opening to engage another temple member 16, the other temple member 16 being positioned on the folded temple 18, away from the hinge 34, near the end of the temple 18. An optional second lens holder may be positioned and held using inner holding element 22 and outer holding element 20. Temple element 16 of the second eyeglass holder may further hold folded temple 18 by magnetically coupling second temple element 16 with internal retaining element 22 of the second eyeglass holder.

Fig. 20 shows a further embodiment of the example of fig. 18, wherein an optional second eyeglass holder is used on the pocket panel 10 to re-restrain the folded temple 18 relative to the pocket panel 10. An optional second eyeglass holder can be positioned at the bottom of the pocket 8 remote from the opening to engage another temple member 16, the other temple member 16 being positioned on the folded temple 18, remote from the hinge 34, near the end of the temple 18. An optional second lens holder may be positioned and held at a deeper position within the pocket 8 using the internal retaining element 22 and the external retaining element 20. An optional second eyeglass holder can further hold the eyeglasses 2 by further restraining another portion of the folding temple 18 to the pocket panel 10.

Due to the schematic nature of the figures, one or more of the figures may appear as one or more interdigitated structures. Certain features may be shown exaggerated in scale for clarity and side views illustrating certain aspects of the invention. None of the above is intended to limit conventional design, construction, size, or material choices.

Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments. It is therefore to be understood that any claims supported by this description are to be interpreted broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for preventing a pair of eyeglasses from falling off a panel of a garment, comprising:

a first retaining member, at least a portion of which is disposed within a garment pocket and abuts an outer surface of the chassis facing an interior of the garment pocket;

a second retaining member, at least a portion of which is disposed outside of the garment pocket and abuts an outer surface of the chassis facing outside of the garment pocket;

wherein the first and second retaining members are magnetically attracted together against the garment panel to inhibit movement of at least a portion of the first and second retaining members relative to the panel; and

a pair of eyeglasses at least partially disposed within the garment pocket, wherein the magnetic attraction of one or both of the first and second retaining members resists removal of the eyeglasses from the garment pocket.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a retention member secured to or including at least a portion of the eyewear, the retention member being magnetically attracted to one or both of the first and second retention members.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first and second retaining members comprises a magnet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flexible band secured between the first and second retaining members, and wherein the band is configured to position the first and second retaining members on opposite sides of the chassis.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a clip secured between the first and second retaining members, and wherein the clip is configured to position the first and second retaining members on opposite sides of the chassis.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises at least a portion of an outer boundary of the garment pocket relative to the garment.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chassis includes at least a portion of the garment pocket relative to an inner boundary of the garment.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member are disposed adjacent an opening of the garment pocket.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the panel forms an opening of the pocket of the garment, and wherein the first and second retaining members are disposed on the panel adjacent the opening of the pocket.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the panel forms a closed end of the pocket, and wherein the first and second retaining members are disposed on the panel adjacent the closed end of the pocket.

11. The device of claim 2, wherein the retention member comprises a magnet.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the retention member is disposed adjacent to one end of the eyewear.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the retention member is secured to or comprises at least a portion of a temple member of the eyewear.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the temple member is folded over the chassis and at least a portion of the retention member is disposed outside of the garment pocket.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the temple member is folded over the chassis and at least a portion of the retention member is disposed inside the garment chassis pocket.

16. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the retention member is disposed adjacent an end of the eyewear.

17. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the retention member is secured to or comprises at least a portion of a temple member of the eyewear, the temple member comprising an articulated end, and wherein at least a portion of the retention member is disposed adjacent the articulated end of the temple member.

18. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the retention member is secured to or comprises at least a portion of a temple member of the eyewear, the temple member comprising an unhinged end, and wherein at least a portion of the retention member is disposed adjacent the unhinged end of the temple member.

19. The device of claim 2, wherein a surface of the first retaining member has a friction surface comprising rubber that contacts the eyewear or the retaining member.

20. An apparatus for inhibiting the dislodgement of an article from a panel defining the outer boundary of a pocket of a garment, comprising:

a first retaining member comprising a magnet, at least a portion of the first retaining member being disposed outside of the garment pocket;

a clip disposed over an edge of the garment panel and securing at least a portion of the first retaining member outside of the garment pocket; and

a pair of eyeglasses at least partially disposed within the garment pocket, wherein the magnetic attraction of the first retaining member through the chassis resists the eyeglasses from falling out of the garment pocket.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a retention member secured to or including at least a portion of the eyewear, the retention member being magnetically attracted to the first retention member.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the retention member is disposed adjacent an end of the eyewear.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the retention member is secured to or comprises at least a portion of a temple member of the eyewear, and wherein the retention member is disposed proximate an end of the temple member.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the temple member is folded over the chassis and at least a portion of the retention member is disposed outside of the garment pocket.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the temple member is folded over the chassis and at least a portion of the retention member is disposed inside the garment chassis pocket.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the retention member is secured to or comprises at least a portion of a temple member of the eyewear, the temple member comprising a hinged end and an unhinged end, and wherein at least a portion of the retention member is disposed adjacent the hinged end or the unhinged end of the temple member.

27. An apparatus for inhibiting the dislodgement of an article from a panel defining the outer boundary of a pocket of a garment, comprising:

at least a portion of the chassis forming at least a portion of an opening of the garment pocket;

a clip disposed over an edge of the chassis, the edge of the chassis forming at least a portion of an opening of the garment pocket;

a pair of eyeglasses at least partially disposed within the garment pocket; and is

Wherein a magnetic attraction between the clip and a first end of the eyewear proximate the clip and the opening of the garment pocket prevents the eyewear from falling out of the garment pocket.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a magnet secured to the clip adjacent the first end of the eyeglasses and within the garment pocket.

29. A device for preventing a pair of eyeglasses from falling off a panel of a garment, comprising:

a first retaining member, at least a portion of which is disposed within a garment pocket and abuts an outer surface of the chassis facing an interior of the garment pocket, the first retaining member being positionable within the pocket separately from the pair of eyeglasses;

a second retaining member, at least a portion of which is disposed outside of the garment pocket and abuts an outer surface of the chassis facing outside of the garment pocket, the second retaining member being positionable outside of the pocket separately from the pair of eyeglasses;

wherein the first and second retaining members are configured to allow a first relative position of placement on the pocket panel, the first relative position including the first and second retaining members magnetically attracting together against the garment panel to inhibit movement of at least a portion of the first and second retaining members relative to the panel;

wherein the first and second retaining members are configured to allow them to be placed in a second relative position on the garment panel, the second relative position including at least one of the first and second retaining members not being magnetically attracted against the garment panel; and

a pair of eyeglasses at least partially disposed within the garment pocket, wherein magnetic attraction between at least a magnetic material secured to or comprising at least a portion of the eyeglasses and one or both of the first and second retaining members at the first relative positions on the pocket panel resists removal of the eyeglasses from the garment pocket.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the magnetic material secured to or comprising at least a portion of the eyewear further comprises a retention member secured to or comprising at least a portion of the eyewear, the retention member being magnetically attracted to one or both of the first and second retention members.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein one or both of the first retaining member and the second retaining element comprises a magnet.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a flexible band secured between the first and second retaining members, and wherein the band is configured to position the first and second retaining members on opposite sides of the chassis.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the panel comprises at least a portion of an exterior panel of the garment pocket relative to the garment.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the panel comprises at least a portion of the garment pocket opposite an interior panel of the garment.

35. The device of claim 29, wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member are disposed adjacent an opening of the garment pocket.

36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein at least a portion of the panel forms an opening of the pocket of the garment, and wherein the first and second retaining members are disposed on the panel adjacent the opening of the pocket.

37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein at least a portion of the chassis forms a closed end of the pocket, and wherein the first and second retention members are disposed on the chassis adjacent the closed end of the pocket.

38. The device of claim 30, wherein the retention member comprises a magnet.

39. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the retention member is disposed adjacent an end of the eyewear.

40. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the retention member is secured to or comprises at least a portion of a temple member of the eyewear.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the temple member is folded over the chassis and at least a portion of the retention member is disposed outside of the garment pocket.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the temple member is folded over the chassis and at least a portion of the retention member is disposed inside the garment chassis pocket.

43. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein at least a portion of the retention member is disposed adjacent an end of the eyewear.

44. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the retention member is secured to or comprises at least a portion of a temple member of the eyewear, the temple member comprising an articulated end, and wherein at least a portion of the retention member is disposed adjacent the articulated end of the temple member.

45. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the retention member is secured to or comprises at least a portion of a temple member of the eyewear, the temple member comprising an unhinged end, and wherein at least a portion of the retention member is disposed adjacent the unhinged end of the temple member.

46. The device of claim 30, wherein a surface of the first retaining member has a friction surface comprising rubber that contacts the eyewear or the retaining member.

47. An apparatus for inhibiting the dislodgement of an article from a panel defining the outer boundary of a pocket of a garment, comprising:

a clip disposed over an edge of the garment panel and securing at least a portion of the first retaining member outside of the garment pocket, wherein the clip includes a first leg securing the first retaining member outside of the garment pocket and a second leg having a length extending within the garment pocket and overlapping at least a portion of the first leg;

a pair of eyeglasses at least partially disposed within the garment pocket, wherein the magnetic attraction of the first retaining member through the chassis resists the eyeglasses from falling out of the garment pocket; and is

Wherein the magnet comprises a length extending along an exterior surface of the garment pocket beyond an end of the length of the second leg extending into the garment pocket.

48. The apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising a retention member secured to or comprising at least a portion of the eyewear, the retention member being magnetically attracted to the first retention member.

49. The apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the retention member is disposed adjacent an end of the eyewear.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the retention member is secured to or comprises at least a portion of a temple member of the eyewear, and wherein the retention member is disposed proximate an end of the temple member.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the temple member is folded over the chassis and at least a portion of the retention member is disposed outside of the garment pocket.

52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the temple member is folded over the chassis and at least a portion of the retention member is disposed inside the garment chassis pocket.

53. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the retention member is secured to or comprises at least a portion of the temple member of the eyewear, the temple member comprising a hinged end and an unhinged end, and wherein at least a portion of the retention member is disposed adjacent the hinged end or the unhinged end of the temple member.

54. An apparatus for inhibiting the dislodgement of an article from a panel defining the outer boundary of a pocket of a garment, comprising:

a clip disposed over an edge of the chassis, the edge of the chassis forming at least a portion of the opening of the garment pocket;

a pair of eyeglasses at least partially disposed within the garment pocket; and

a magnet secured to the clip on a garment panel surface exterior to the pocket, wherein a magnetic attraction between the magnet and a first end of the eyewear through the garment panel prevents the eyewear from falling out of the garment pocket, the first end of the eyewear being disposed within the garment pocket adjacent the magnet and the opening of the garment pocket.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising a magnet secured to the clip adjacent the first end of the eyeglasses and outside of the clothing pocket.

56. The device of claim 29, wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member are positioned adjacent a top of the pocket.

57. The device of claim 29, wherein the first retaining member and the second retaining member are positioned adjacent a bottom of the pocket.